News

RFP for TV One Māori Historical Documentary

1 x 90 minute programme

TVNZ and NZ On Air seek proposals for a long-form dramatised documentary which meets NZ On Air's Rautaki Māori criteria. The programme must be distinctive, challenging and have broad appeal.

The successful application will primarily be funded from NZ On Air's Platinum Fund. This fund was created as a response to the Government's wish to provide for free to air quality television programmes appealing to a variety of discerning audiences.

This 90 minute docu-drama is intended to be a "must watch" for a primetime audience. It is intended for screening in the Sunday evening drama slot on TV ONE.

It will explore a particularly engaging story from our past, either recent or distant, and successfully bring it to life. The story must have strong characters and a rich dramatic narrative so as to capture and hold the viewers attention. This is an opportunity to mine the rich vein of New Zealand's history from a Māori perspective and discover and illuminate themes that help define us and connect with our modern world.

The stories will be a documentary with dramatised elements. You will need to articulate how each will be treated to maximise the story's potential. When submitting ideas give thought to the x-factor that will make for exceptional programming.

Well developed story-telling skill is a pre-requisite for key personnel and we expect applicants will be able to point to their previous experience in making high impact documentaries. At least two key personnel attached to the project should be Māori.  Proposals should also indicate key historical or cultural advisers attached to the project.

We are seeking proposals comprising the concept, a clear outline of the story and a potential treatment. It is possible that development funding for research and scripting will be made available to the selected proposal prior to a decision being made to support production.

The budget range is up to $750,000 depending on subject and treatment. The deadline for proposals is 23 July 2010.
The projects will be assessed by a working group comprising an NZ On Air Board member, the NZ On Air Television Manager and TVNZ Commissioners for Documentary and Drama. We hope to notify applicants of the outcome within a month.

Please send 2 copies of your initial proposal clearly marked Historical Docu-Drama Strand each to TVNZ and NZ On Air. Completed NZ On Air Cover Sheet forms and TVNZ Commissioned Proposal & Assessment Submission forms should be included. Send to:

Jude Callen                                                 Glenn Usmar
Commissioned Programmes                   Television Manager
TVNZ                                                            NZ On Air
PO Box 3819                                              PO Box 9744
AUCKLAND 1140                                      WELLINGTON 6141